Supporting element for use in microbiological, serological, immunological clinical-chemical and similar laboratory work

Abstract

For microbiological and other laboratory work in which supporting elements carrying an active substance is brought into contact with a substrate there is provided a supporting element of tubular or other shape and adapted to be forced through the substrate to the bottom of the same and thereby wholly or partly to confine an area of the substrate. The element carries the active substance on the side facing the confined area and isolates it from the substrate on the opposite side. The supporting element may comprise magnetic material and be pulled to the bottom of the substrate by magnetic force.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. For use in combination with a substrate containing an agent to carry out biological and chemical diffusion tests in microbiological, serological, immunological, clinical-chemical and similar laboratory work: a carrying body including a wall which is shaped to confine a substantially closed area on one side thereof when the wall is forced substantially to the bottom of the substrate, and means operatively associated with said body for diffusing an active substance from said body along the depth of penetration thereof into the confined area of the substrate for producing a substantial equilibrium concentration of the active substance in said confined area, the reactivity of the active substance and agent being the subject of the investigation, said body having shaped means on said wall of ferromagnetic material for the application of magnetic force thereto to urge the wall into said substrate. 
     
     
       2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrying body is formed as an annulus thereby to define a closed cross-sectional area, said shaped means comprising an annular collar. 
     
     
       3. The invention as claimed in claim 2 comprising stabilizing legs extending downwardly with respect to said annular collar. 
     
     
       4. The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shaped means is of triangular cross-section.